Chapter 1 - Preamble

Section 1 - Social & Economic Dimensions

Section 2 - Conservation and Management of Resources

Section 3 - Strengthening the Role of Major Groups

Section 4 - Means of Implementation
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40

Complete text of Agenda 21: Chapter 35
Chapter 35: Science for Sustainable Development

The global environment is changing faster than at any time in recent centuries. The next century could see significant environmental changes, and surprises may be expected.

Human consumption of energy, water and non-renewable resources is increasing, and there may be shortages in many parts of the world, even if environmental conditions were to remain unchanged.

Scientific knowledge can support the prudent management of the environment and development for the daily survival and future of humanity. Scientists have a growing understanding of such issues as climate change, increases in resource consumption, population trends and environmental degradation. This information should be used to shape long-term strategies for sustainable development.

In the face of threats of irreversible environmental damage, scientific uncertainty should not be used as an excuse for postponing actions which are justified in their own right. It would be wise to adopt a precautionary approach in making decisions, to lower the risks of upsetting complex ecological systems.

Governments need to support the kind of science that can provide a clearer picture of how the environment works, and give better estimates of the Earth’s capacity to deal with increasing human demands. Scientists can provide ideas on how to use energy and resources more efficiently for such activities as industry, agriculture and transport.

We need to use observations from space to help us better understand how our atmosphere, water and the Earth form a closely linked ecosystem. At the same time, we need to link such "advanced science" with the best indigenous and local knowledge from different cultures. Scientists need training in natural systems, ecology and resource management so they can understand the environmental effects of their research and the resulting development projects.

The world needs long-term scientific assessments on the depletion of resources, energy use, health impacts and population trends. This information could be used for environment and development assessments at the local, regional and global levels. The assessments need to be made public in forms that can be widely understood.

There is also a need for regular, public audits of the ability of global and regional life-supporting systems to meet the needs of humans and the rest of nature. These audits should help guide development plans by identifying areas and resources vulnerable to further degradation. Science needs to learn what human attitudes and behaviour lead to environmental impacts, and how environmental degradation affects global and local economies.

Countries need to develop tools for sustainable development such as:

• Quality of life indicators covering health, education, social welfare, and state of the environment and the economy.
• Economic incentives that will encourage better resource management.
• Ways of measuring the environmental soundness of new technologies.

Governments also need to:

• Use information on the links between the state of ecosystems and human health when weighing the costs and benefits of different development policies.
• Conduct scientific studies to help map out national and regional pathways to sustainable development. When sustainable development plans are being made, the public should be involved in setting long-term goals for society.

More scientists are needed in all countries, particularly in developing countries, to provide research and recommendations on environment and development. It is crucial that developing countries have enough qualified scientists to put them on an equal footing with developed nations in negotiations on global environment and development issues.

By the year 2000, there should be a substantial increase in the number of scientists in those developing countries which lack researchers, and the exodus of scientists from developing nations reversed.

For more information, see also Chapter 31: Scientists and Technologists

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